Medvedev calls for return to majoritarian electoral system in Russia

“I think this is also a possible and debatable idea,” he added

Photo ITAR-TASS

GORKI, December 5 (Itar-Tass) —— President Dmitry Medvedev called for returning to the proportional majoritarian electoral system in Russia.

“I have repeatedly said at meetings that our political system is not rigid and we are changing it,” Medvedev said at a meeting with his supporters on Monday, December 5.

He recalled that the Duma election barrier has been lowered from 7 percent to 5 percent.

“The majoritarian system that could be restored in a new form, and there are such ideas to use majoritarian constituencies based on party lists in order to keep the party nature of the parliament,” the president said.

“I think this is also a possible and debatable idea,” he added.

“It [the idea] will bring up more talented people who traditionally live in regions – public opinion leaders -- who are often ignored or squashed by regional leaders. We know that,” he said.

Medvedev cited United Russia’s election results in some regions where in his opinion it “performed poorly not because people deny it their trust but because they are irritated by local functionaries”.

“They look and say: if this is United Russia, I will not vote for it by any means,” the president said.